THE Expert Patient Programme - designed to aid people with long-term illnesses - is coming to Evesham and Pershore.

It is a course that helps people with long-term illness to manage their condition, build on their own individual coping skills and improve the quality of their lives. It is open to adults who have illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, MS, arthritis, ME and Parkinsons.

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust are putting on a free course consisting of two and a half hours one day a week for six weeks.

In Evesham, the course will take place from October 10 at Wallace House, Oat Street, from 10.30am to 1pm and in Pershore, at the Pershore Leisure Centre, King George's Way, from 1pm to 3.30pm, on Tuesday September 6.

For more information or to book a place on the course, contact Tracy Pountney on 01905 760049 or e-mail tracy.pountney@worcs-pct.nhs.uk. Places must be booked in advance.